Lai Mohammed advocates strategic communication to boost culture, tourism
…donates books to Unilorin Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has emphasised the role of strategic communication in promoting Nigeria’s culture and tourism, describing it as essential for
…donates books to Unilorin
- From: Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has emphasised the role of strategic communication in promoting Nigeria’s culture and tourism, describing it as essential for repositioning the sectors as key drivers of national development.
According to a statement by Mr. Nnamdi Atupulazi, Head of Strategic Communications at Lai Mohammed’s Media Office, the former minister made the remarks on Wednesday while donating copies of his book, ‘Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’, to the University of Ilorin in Kwara State.
Mohammed explained that during his tenure, the ministry intentionally deployed communication strategies to project Nigeria’s cultural heritage and tourism potential on both national and international platforms. He noted that routine official engagements were transformed into high-impact media events by incorporating visits to major festivals and key tourist destinations alongside journalists.
This approach, he said, helped generate sustained visibility for Nigeria’s cultural assets and strengthened their relevance in economic and cultural discourse.
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The statement added that the strategy contributed to amplifying major cultural events such as the Argungu International Fishing Festival, the Osun-Osogbo Festival, and the Calabar Carnival, positioning them as platforms for economic promotion, national pride, and global storytelling.
Mohammed further noted that visits to notable tourism and cultural sites, including the Owu Waterfalls in Kwara State, as well as institutions like the National Theatre, Lagos, and the National Museum, Onikan, were deliberately structured to highlight the country’s tourism potential.
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He also pointed to the introduction of the National Festival Calendar as a key initiative that brought structure and predictability to cultural events, making them more attractive to tourists and investors.
In addition, he cited partnerships with organisations such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council as instrumental in building the capacity of festival managers across the country.
Mohammed maintained that sustained investment in strategic communication would continue to play a vital role in enhancing the visibility and economic value of Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors.
The statement further added, “At the international level, Alhaji Mohammed highlighted Nigeria’s participation in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which projected the country’s culture to a global audience and reinforced the message that Nigeria’s true wealth lies in its people, traditions, and creativity.
“These initiatives demonstrate how purposeful and consistent communication can transform culture into a powerful instrument for economic diversification and national identity,” he said.
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Speaking on the book donation, the former Minister explained that the gesture is part of a broader initiative to support scholarship and encourage reading among Nigerian students.
Following the launch of the book in Abuja on December 17, 2025, he said he resolved to donate copies free of charge to selected tertiary institutions across the country through the Reading Sessions Project. The University of Ilorin is the fifth beneficiary, following Yaba College of Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, University of Abuja, and Al-Hikmah University.
Alhaji Mohammed described Headlines & Soundbites as a first-hand account of governance and a reflection on the role of communication in nation-building, drawing from his nearly eight-year tenure as Minister of Information and Culture.
He said he wrote the book to preserve an accurate historical record and provide context often missing from public discourse, emphasizing that no government succeeds without effective communication and no history is complete until it is told by those who lived it.
He thanked the authorities of the University of Ilorin for accepting the donation and expressed hope that the book would enrich scholarship and strengthen critical thinking among students.
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In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, commended the donation, describing it as a bridge between academic theory and practical governance.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muktar Adeiza Ekundaye, he noted that the book would enrich students’ understanding by exposing them to real-life governance experiences not readily available in textbooks.
“This donation will greatly benefit our students, as it provides insights they may not get from conventional classroom teaching,” he said.
Also speaking, the University Librarian, Prof. Tunde Omopupa, lauded the former Minister for the gesture, noting that the book would enhance research and intellectual engagement within the institution.
He highlighted that the publication covers diverse areas, including politics, economy, defence, and social issues, making it a valuable addition to the university’s library resources, and encouraged students and researchers to explore it for a deeper understanding of governance and strategic communication.
The event drew a large attendance from the university community, including students, staff, and other stakeholders.
